Freezing apparatus



May 5,1931. 1.. s. PFOUTS FREEZING APPARATUS 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 OriginalFiled Jan. 21, 1928 R x E N, N 6 F wwo imw 4 6 A6 @m yfm maflnw 3% aATTORNEY May 5, 1931. L. s. PFOUTS v FREEZING APPARATUS Ol iginal FiledJan. 21, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 5, 1931 UNITED STATESPATENT; OFFICE LEROY PFOUTS, DEC BASED, LATE OF CANTON, OHIO, BY J CAN8. PFOU'I'S ADMINIS- OI' CANTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE H. H. MILLERINDUSTBIES DOI- rm, CANTON, OHIO, A CORIORATION OI OHIO 1 FREEZINGAPPARATUS (mam application and January 81, 1928, Serial a. 248,543.Divided and this application filed 1 in 9, 1928. Serial No. 298,452.

This invention relates to an apparatus for freezing materials, such asice cream, ices, and the like.

This application is a division of the applil cation filed January 21,1928, Ser. No. 248,543.

In the freezing of materials particularly cream and other milk products,it is desirable to beat and a 'tate the batch in a manner and under conitions which will uniform- 10 l and rapidly effect freezing thereof tothe esired temperature and yield and to then relatively quickly andwithout delay in emptying or undue exposure store the frozen batch inice and salt or in a refrigerated stor- 15 in room for hardening.

11 order that the operative may determine when the material is incondition for discharge, it is desirable to remove a small portion ofthe material and subject it to a suitable test. According to the usualcustom the discharge valve is opened to discharge a small quantity ofthe material, but this operation has been foundto be disadvantageous dueto waste and resultant'unsanitary conditions.

On object of the invention is to provide an improved freezerconstruction in WhlCll these conditions are entirely eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved freezingapparatus having a valve mechanism capable of permitting a relativelysmall discharge or a relatiilzlg' large discharge of the materialbeing-tree. v Another object of the invention is to (2011+ struct afreezer having an improved valve means for permitting in a readymannerand without waste testing of the material during the freezing operation.1

' Other ob ects of the invention will be a parent to those skilled inthe art to which t e invention relates from the following descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is afront elevation of an apparatus for freezing materials embodying theinvention. Fi 2 is a section on the line 22 of Figs.

Fig. 2a is a section on the line 2a--2a of W Fig.2.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but show- 111 the testing valve inopen position.

ig. 4 is a fragmentary front view, partly in section.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 2. In the drawings, 1indicates a base on which is mounted a support 2 preferably ofsubstantially semi-cylindrical shape to partially enclose a suitabledriving mechanism, indicated as an entirety at 3. 4: indicates a motormounted on a separate support 1a and operating through suitable gearreductions 5, 6, to drive a main shaft 311 of the driving mechanism 3.

7 indicates as an entirety the freezing member preferably disposed invertical position and having at one end a wall or head 8. The head 8 isprovided with a flange 9 secured for example by cap screws 9a to theother portion of the support 2.' The upper end of the freezer member 7is provided with a ring, forming an opening which is closed byaremovable head 10; the ring being provided with a bracket 11 which issecured to the upper end of a column or standard 12. The column 12 beingrigidly secured to the support 2, serves. to brace the freezing member 7thereon. The freezing member 7 comprises an inner cylinder 13 and meansfor supplying a'heat transfer medium in contact with its outer Wall,such means in the present illustrated embodiment comprising a circuitous.passage 14 for brine formed by a corrugated sheet metal jacket 14:. Thejacket 14 may be insulated by suitable material 15 and the latterenclosed in a cylinder 16. The wall 13 and jacket 14' are connected attheir ends to the head 8 and ring in a suitable manner to insureliquid-tight joints and the engaging surfaces between the ring and head10 are ground to insure a liquid-tight fit. The brine is supplied to andconducted away from the passages 14 by valve controller pipes 17 (notshown). The material to be frozen may be introduced into the cylinder 13in any desired manner, but preferably by a pipe leading through the sidewall of the freezer member 7 at any desired point between the head 8 andring, a valve 20 being provided for controlling such material supply anddevices for maintaining the opening through the pipe clear may beprovided in the pipe; the construction and arrangement of the inlet pipeand the valve and devices connected thereto being preferably similar tolike arts shown in Letters Patent No. 1,191,222, ated July 18, 1916.

21 indicates as an entirety the combined agitating, beatin and scrapingmechanism within the cylin er 13, which may comprise one or morerotatable members depending upon the nature or character of the materialbeing frozen. In the illustrated form of construction two members areprovided, an outer member 22, which preferably includes one or morescrapers 22a, and an inner member 23, said members being connected(preferably removably) with shafts 24,25, re-

spectively extending through an opening 26 formed axially in the head 8.As shown, the shafts 24, 25, are connected to the gears 36, 3c, of thedriving mechanism 3, by means that operate to prevent leakage of liquidinto the driving mechanism 3 or the casing therefor, such means formingthe subject-matter of a co-pending application Ser. No. 212,977 forwhich reason no claim is'made'hereinto such subject-matter. Thegears-3b, 30,-mesh with and are driven in opposite directions by a maingear 30? secured to the shaft 311,

27 indicates a relatively large 0 'ening formed in the head 8 andserving as t e dischar e opening for the batch of frozen materia Theopening is controlled by a valve 28, movably mounted with respect to thehead 8. The opening 27 is of a size to permit the entire batch(excepting portions that may adhere to the walls and parts) to freelyflow through it in a short period of time upon the operation of thevalve 28 to its open position, the result being that the continuedoperation of the mechanism 21 during the discharge of the material (asis the customary practice) and the low tem erature within the cylinder13 and effect 0 the refrigerant around it, will not, to any considerabledegree, change or affect the condition or temperature of the lastportion of the batch to flow through opening with respect to the firstportion flowing therethrough when emptying or discharge takes place. Itwill therefore be seen that the entire frozen mass or batch will have asubstantially uniform temperature and swell. The discharged batch mayflow into a storing can or into a trough, as shown in the aforesaidco-pending application. To form the opening 27, the major portion of themetal of the head 8, forward of a diametrical line extending from sideto side of the head, is cut away.

The valve 28 preferably comprises a plate and may be movably supportedon the lower face of the head 8, for which purpose the latter isprovided with guides 29 arranged ward its open position.

to permit the valve 28 to slide forward to the position shown in dottedlines in Fig. 5.

The valve 28 may be yieldingly pressed against the head 8 to insureliquid tightness by shoes 29' normally biased toward the valve 28 by aplurality of springs 30 supported on the heads of adjustable plugs 31threaded in openings formed in the guides 29.

The valve 28 may be operated by one or more toggles 37 connected to arock shaft 38 suitably mounted below the head 8. The shaft 38 carries agear 39 in mesh with a gear 40. The gear 40 is fixed to a shaft 41 whichcarries a lever or handle 42.

33 indicates a valve for permitting the discharge of a relatively smallquantity of material, for example, into a small container. The valve 33may be operated during the freezing operation, whereby the operativecan, at will, permit the discharge of a small quantity into a testingcap to determine the condition of the batch and its swell, so that thedischarge of the entire batch of material may be effected at the propertime. To provide the valve 33, the head 8 is formed with a separateopening 47, preferably in close proximity to ,the main valve opening-27and so arranged that a portion of the valve 28 will control-the openingof the opening 47 in its movement'in, one direction,'for example, to-

For this purpose, the valve 28 has an extended portion 28 and bypreference, such portion has an opening 2811 which is adapted toregister with the opening 47 when 'moved to a predetermined position.Such registry may be indicated for the guidance of the operative tofacilitate .the operation of the valve plate 28 to eifect a dischargethrough the opening 47 or through the opening 27, by graduations orother suitable markings on the bearing sleeve 48 for the shaft 41,whereby the movement of the handle 42 to positions relative to suchmarks will indicate the positions of the valve plate 28. Thisconstruction and arrangement avoids the necessity of providing a valvedtesting outlet in and through the side walls of the cylinders formingthe freezing member; on the other hand by mounting the valve 33, asshown, the cost of construction is reduced and the arrangement isrelatively simple and the valves are readily operated.

43 indicates a suitable measuring receptacle having a discharge pipe 43aleading to the casing of the valve 20. 44 indicates a supply pipeleading to the receptacle 43. The pipes 43a, 44, are connected to eachother so that a single valve 45 may control the flew alternately throughthem. By preference the valve 45 is connected by a linkage 46 with thevalve 20 so that when the valve 45 is operated to permit discharge ofthe material from the receptacle 43 the valve 20'will be opened and whenthe discharge is cut off the valve 20 will be closed.

In the form of construction shown, the valve mechanisms comprise arelatively large valve opening to insure fast emptying of the frozenmass and a relatively small opening to -"--''permit the discharge atwill ofsufiici'nt material for testing purposes. This arrangementsimplifies the fork of the operative and enables him to make as manytests as desired without danger of wasting the material or splashing iton the floor and surroundingobjects.

As shown, a single valve element controls both valve openings and whensuch element is operated it first opens the valve 33 and then the valveopening 27 To effect the discharge of a small quantity of material fortesting the valve element is moved outwardly a predetermined distanceand then returned. By

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

JOAN S. PFOUTS, Administratfiw of the Estate of Leroy S.

Pfouts, deceased.

providing a separate extension on the valve element or by arranging thevalve opening 47 at one side of the opening 27, provision may be madefor closing the opening 33 when the valve is positioned to uncover theopening 27.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates many changesin construction cylinder disposed vertically and having heads closingits upper and lower ends, said lower head being formed with a relativelylarge opening and a relatively small opening, and

a valve element for controlling the discharge of material through therelatively large opening and having a portion to control the dischargeof material throu h said relatively small opening independent y of thedischarge of material through the large opening.

2. In apparatus of the class described, the

combination of a supporgacontainer for inaterial mounted thereon andcomprising a cylinder having heads for closing its opposite ends, one ofsaid heads being formed with a plurality of openings of difi'erentsizes, and a valve element movable to predetermined positionsforcontrolling said openings, said valve element being arranged to openone of the openings independently of the other opening. 3. In apparatusof the class described, the combination of a support, a container formaterial mounted thereon and comprising a cylinder having heads forclosing its opposite ends, one of saidheads being formed with aplurality of openings of different sizes, and a valve element movable topredetermined positions for controlling said openings successively whenmoved in either direction.

